Short MLD Exodus Owners?

I love my Exodus, and I have a small (I'm 5'8" and have a somewhat short torso) but if she carries 20 lbs or more in the pack she will feel significant weight on her shoulders. So I guess it depends on the anticipated load. The Exodus is my first frameless pack, so I don't know if this goes for all frameless packs, but it seems pretty hard to get the weight off your shoulders in frameless packs unless you keep the weight in the pack way down (which I guess is the whole point of UL and I try to do).

We also have the XS prophet for my 9 year old daughter and she loves it but only carries about 10 lbs.

I'm surprised the Granite Gear didn't work out. My wife uses my old Vapor Trail in a small (she is 5'4") and that has worked well for her in keeping weight off her shoulders.

Maybe send Ron at MLD an email and see what he thinks.

Hope that helps.

It sounds as though your wife definitely needs more structure than would be afforded by a frameless pack. An extra pound of pack weight might be well worth the extra comfort in her case. I certainly have found that true for my grandchildren! For them, I found it is better to get a heavier pack and do some "creative remodeling" to lighten it up by removing as many as possible of the unnecessary gewgaws that add weight. Like your wife, kids really need load-lifters to prevent the shoulder straps from cutting in. Have you looked at woman-specific packs in the 3 pound category? You might also look at packs designed for older children. Another possibility–if you have the $$$- is a custom-made pack, such as a McHale.

You mention that she's 5'2" but what is her torso length? That's the measurement that's critical in pack fitting. If it's shorter than 15" (my torso length–I'm 5'3"), then she will find it pretty much impossible to get a fit with a unisex pack. For me, it's just barely–my Six Moon Designs Comet (no longer made) has to be adjusted to the shortest length possible. Despite the fact that some on this forum think load lifters unnecessary, I can't get along without them, either, even with a 14-15 lb. total pack weight.

Jeremy, I read your recent review on the Exodus and I'm sure we will exceed 20 lbs., especially on the first couple of resupply days. The MLD site says that approx. 70% goes to waist and 30% on shoulders, which is highly subjective, especially when you consider how the pack could be loaded differently. The Vapor Ki was sloppy big. The load lifters just slumped over and provided nothing. Even after we tried to rigidify the pack w/ tent poles folded into a thermarest, we couldn't get any load transfer off the tops of her shoulders.

Mary, we ordered a Comet too late to find out that they were all sold. Her torso is in the 16" range. She has an REI pack that comes in at 3lbs10oz. and it does a fine job of supporting a lot of weight. If we don't find a lighter pack, we will likely stick w/ the REI and find other weight savings. It's frustrating because I know we can cut close to 2 lbs w/ a UL pack, but it's not worth the comfort sacrifice if it doesn't fit.

I second the mchale pack. Maybe one of his LBPs.

http://www.mchalepacks.com/ultralight/index.htm

Given her size I am sure you could get one at around 2 lbs that is made to fit like a glove with a suspension that can handle the weight and put it on the hips.

You recommend a $500 custom pack to someone new to backpacking.

Wow.

David Ure wrote "You recommend a $500 custom pack to someone new to backpacking.

Wow."

How do you know she is new to backpacking? Even if she is, looking at the facts and her goals, it might be the correct choice. The thought of spending money is a personal decision that everyone makes for themselves given their financial situation etc….

She currently owns a backpack (REI) which appears to fit her but she wants to go lighter.

She has some needs which most people don't have.

She will be carrying over 20lbs and wants to be able to transfer the weight to her hips.

She has tried on several packs and so far none have fit or felt right.

She likes a suspension with load lifters.

My opinion is to look into a mchale pack that can be custom made to fit her, with the the type of suspension that she likes, that can be built lighter than her current pack, and will last a LONG, LONG time.

Given her requirements and the facts presented, I don't think my suggestion is "wow" but was a good suggestion that might help her out.

At the very least she can call, talk about her situation/requirements/goals and see what he has to say about it. At that time she can decide, after thinking about the benefits vs cost if this is a pack that she wants.

Good luck Lucas, I hope your wife finds what she is looking for.

Its like someone wanting a car to get to work and you recommending a Porsche with a comment like, "she wanted a car with leather."

The OP mentioned an EXODUS, not an overbuilt climbing pack.

The exodus isn't going to work if she wants to transfer most of the weight to her hips carrying 20+ pounds. If a vapor trail didn't work, I doubt the exodus will.

IMHO she needs a pack with a rigid suspension system so that the load lifters will work properly.

She also wants to go lighter than her current pack.

What other packs are out there that will fit her body (with one shoulder being smaller), transfer most of the weight to her hips and be significantly lighter than her current pack??

I can only think of Mchale but of course that is only one suggestion.

Do you have any suggestions on packs that will meet her goals other than thinking this is not a good choice?

Hi Lucas – I didn't see any Osprey packs mentioned so I'll throw that out there.

The largest pack in the sprint series – designed for teens might work.

Also consider the small size in the Exos 46. All Osprey says about the torso size is that the small is for under an 18.5" but that may still be too long for your wife.

The other option (although capacity not as large as you're looking for) is the talon 44 in the S/M – the torso length is adjustable so if it's dialed down, it may fit.

I find the Exos 46 and Talon 44 to be able to hold more than their stated volumes so these might be OK. I mention both these packs because they have load lifters and the design of the straps might work for her shoulders.

Good luck to both of you.

Since the REI pack fits her well, had you considered some "creative remodeling" (aka butchery) to remove some of its weight? Removing the lid? Removing the ice axe loop if she never plans to carry one? It might be well worth the trouble and the damage to its looks if she can get 1/2 to 3/4 lb. of trim and such off it. This would be true for any other packs that fit but are too heavy, too. Of course, make sure any pack is a definite keeper before getting out the seam ripper and scissors!

I would go to several different stores that carry a variety of packs and do a lot of trying on. In the Midwest, this might require some traveling, but google is your friend. Revealing your location would probably get some recommendations from this forum. I recently got (from another forum) a recommendation for a backpacking specialty shop near Dayton, OH, for one of my grandsons.

There's also the possibility of Brian at ULA, if you can wait until he returns from vacation (aka healing a broken leg, this year) in December. After seeing a couple of his packs, I'd like to take a close look at his Circuit and Catalyst. Those both come in small sizes, and they both have load lifters. You might be able to get Brian to do a bit of customizing, too.

" Her torso is in the 16" range"

Hi Lucas,

I don't know what your time frame is but, if you can wait until the end of the year when Brian Frankel is recovered, the ULA Circuit is well worth investigating. It now comes in a small(torso 15"-17") and is an outstanding lightweight pack at 38 oz and 3800 c.i.

To all of you that have offered suggestions, thanks. This forum has one of the best knowledge bases on gear that I have found. Must be why I come here religiously every morning!

Mary, I've considered the chop and save method for the REI pack. I don't think we can get that much off. The pack is made of something like bomb proof Cordura w/ some ripstop thrown in. I'm afraid that the bulk of the weight is tied up in the frame sheet(plastic) and the main body of the pack. It really is a good pack and for the weight/durability ratio, I can't complain. We just thought a couple of pounds off would be nice.

Aaron, the Osprey packs came up when we visited REI. Unfortunately, they had nothing small in stock. We don't have REI. I'd have to go to St. Louis 3 hours away. Osprey has some women's packs, but they are fairly heavy and really wouldn't warrant the cost to upgrade. I like the look of the Exos, but the sizing on the Osprey size chart doesn't give me hope that the pack will size down that small.

I've got an Ohm that I love. I would buy one for her if the sizing was different. But, the Circuit looks like it might be a nice compromise for our problem. The interesting thing about the Circuit is that you wind up paying not much more than the Ohm since the hipbelt pockets are included in the price.

Thanks for the rec on the Mchale packs. I know they have their fans and I'm sure they make nice packs. However, I'm not going to spend that much. I would prefer to buy new every 2 years and spend less. Especially considering that something new crops up every couple years that seems to revolutionize the sport.

"I like the look of the Exos, but the sizing on the Osprey size chart doesn't give me hope that the pack will size down that small."

Lucas,

I have a 16.5" torso and almost always use a small torso pack, except for the Osprey Exos. I originally purchased a Exos 34/Small from an online retailer, but had to return it since is was surprising too small for a medium which fit well. If the medium was too big for her, with the sizing of the small, I would imagine it would fit.